Fiber is an important component of the dietary requirements of human beings. The human digestive system is a complicated pathway which is long and tends to loop around in the abdomen. Food enters the stomach and is broken down by the various digestive juices. The partially broken down food is then passed into the intestinal system where it continues to be digested. Here, various nutrients required for the body are absorbed.

In order to enable the swift and efficient movement of food through the digestive system, one should focus on foods that have high fiber content. This allows the food to move without hindrance through the digestive system. The smooth flow of food through the digestive system allows a large amount of the food to be removed as waste and prevents the excess absorption of food. The process also ensures that fermentation does not occur beyond a point. Excessive fermentation of food will result in the buildup of gas in the digestive system. This is an undesirable situation as it will cause discomfort to the individual.

A balance of high fiber and low fiber foods is essential for good digestive performance. This ensures the long term health of the individual’s digestive system. There are a few situations where an individual may require less digestive fiber in the food being consumed. Certain diseases and conditions that affect the intestinal system cause digestive distress. These conditions tend to cause inflammation in the intestines. In this situation, an excess quantity of fiber is likely to cause discomfort and may also lead to food getting stuck in the digestive system. This is because the digestive system is constricted in the area where an inflammation has taken place. Crohn’s disease and colitis are two types of diseases that may warrant the consumption of a low fiber diet rather than a high fiber diet. It should be noted that a patient of either of these conditions need not consume an unhealthy diet. The only changes that need to be made are from high fiber foods to low fiber foods. While this change is being made, it is essential to maintain the nutritional quality of the food being consumed so that there is no negative effect on the health of the individual.

There are some good examples of healthy foods that are both nutritious and low in fiber content. These foods include all the groups of food necessary for good health. Protein sources can be restricted to meat based foods. Tofu is also a great source of protein but it does not contain much fiber. Some vegetables are recommended for their high fiber content. In general, it is recommended for an individual to consume vegetables. This is because most vegetables are filled with lots of good nutrition. Vegetables like beans, peas, broccoli and sprouts are high in fiber content. These can be generally avoided by patients suffering from the above mentioned conditions. Most vegetables that are not mentioned on lists prepared for high fiber food are safe to consume for patients who require a low fiber diet. It may be prudent to consult with a dietician before consuming vegetables if the fiber content of the vegetables is unknown. Fatty foods tend to be low in fiber content. Small servings of fatty foods can be consumed, but one should avoid a heavy dependence on fat based foods as these can cause obesity and other related problems. Breads and pasta made from white flour contain less fiber than the same products made from whole grain. This is also helpful for someone who wishes to avoid excess dietary fiber. Care should be taken not to avoid all the required dietary fiber.